Welcome to fall quarter 2024, Slugs! As you get moving this quarter, remember that the first few weeks are busier than usual, so give yourself extra time to get around and show your fellow Slugs a little grace as they learn to navigate the campus.
Here is the transportation info you need to help you make trails on, off, and around campus:
Campus Transit
TAPS operates three on-campus bus routes. You can find routes and schedule information for the Loop, Upper Campus, and Night Upper Campus on the campus transit webpage. The Westside Connector serves the Coastal Science Campus, along with the METRO Route 20. If you need to get around campus at night, check out Safe Ride.
The Silicon Valley Connector links the UCSC campus and the Silicon Valley Campus. When that isn’t an option or if it’s full, students who attend or teach classes at the Silicon Valley Campus may also request up to three (3) free round-trip vouchers per quarter (fall, winter, and spring only) to use on METRO’s Highway 17 Express.
Santa Cruz METRO
Fall quarter brings the return of the greatly missed METRO Route 16 to get downtown via Bay and Laurel. The routes currently serving campus to get to the METRO Center downtown are 10, 16, 18, 19, and 20. Check METRO’s website for maps and schedules, or use RealTime or the Transit App.
Biking
BCycle e-bike share memberships for 2024/25 are now available. Full-price annual memberships are over $200, but our students can apply to pay just $32.75 and employees $76.48 for a full year of unlimited 60-minute rides. Two new stations have been added to campus, one in Lot 122 and one in Lot 118 ; these have replaced the City of Santa Cruz station formerly located on the SE corner of Bay and High.
Slug Bike Life is a great resource, providing education and encouragement for bikers of all levels, from novice to experienced. Check out programs such as helmet and light giveaways, bike mechanic checks, e-bike demos, informative workshops, and fun group rides, all at no cost to you!
Can’t make it to a helmet giveaway event with Slug Bike Life? Check out TAPS’ Free Helmet Program. All employees and students are eligible to get a free helmet once per fiscal year.
Explore all of the available Bike Resources on our website.
Campus Paths
Many paths across campus provide scenic routes and can be the fastest way to get around. Some are dedicated for walking, and others are multi-use paths. Check out the UCSC Walking Map to find your new favorite path. Also, check out the Interactive Campus Map to find the nearest bike rack, BCycle station, or transit stop.
Disability Van Service
If you have functional or access needs that prevent you from biking, walking, or using transit, check out the Disability Van Service. This is a fare-fee service, though advance reservations and medical authorization are required.
New Programs for Financial Hardship
Students who experience financial hardship now have two new programs to help them travel both near and far. Pell and Cal Grant recipients are eligible for Highway 17 vouchers and BCycle membership at no cost.
Here is the transportation info you need to help you make trails on, off, and around campus:
Campus Transit
TAPS operates three on-campus bus routes. You can find routes and schedule information for the Loop, Upper Campus, and Night Upper Campus on the campus transit webpage. The Westside Connector serves the Coastal Science Campus, along with the METRO Route 20. If you need to get around campus at night, check out Safe Ride.
The Silicon Valley Connector links the UCSC campus and the Silicon Valley Campus. When that isn’t an option or if it’s full, students who attend or teach classes at the Silicon Valley Campus may also request up to three (3) free round-trip vouchers per quarter (fall, winter, and spring only) to use on METRO’s Highway 17 Express.
Santa Cruz METRO
Fall quarter brings the return of the greatly missed METRO Route 16 to get downtown via Bay and Laurel. The routes currently serving campus to get to the METRO Center downtown are 10, 16, 18, 19, and 20. Check METRO’s website for maps and schedules, or use RealTime or the Transit App.
Biking
BCycle e-bike share memberships for 2024/25 are now available. Full-price annual memberships are over $200, but our students can apply to pay just $32.75 and employees $76.48 for a full year of unlimited 60-minute rides. Two new stations have been added to campus, one in Lot 122 and one in Lot 118 ; these have replaced the City of Santa Cruz station formerly located on the SE corner of Bay and High.
Slug Bike Life is a great resource, providing education and encouragement for bikers of all levels, from novice to experienced. Check out programs such as helmet and light giveaways, bike mechanic checks, e-bike demos, informative workshops, and fun group rides, all at no cost to you!
Can’t make it to a helmet giveaway event with Slug Bike Life? Check out TAPS’ Free Helmet Program. All employees and students are eligible to get a free helmet once per fiscal year.
Explore all of the available Bike Resources on our website.
Campus Paths
Many paths across campus provide scenic routes and can be the fastest way to get around. Some are dedicated for walking, and others are multi-use paths. Check out the UCSC Walking Map to find your new favorite path. Also, check out the Interactive Campus Map to find the nearest bike rack, BCycle station, or transit stop.
Disability Van Service
If you have functional or access needs that prevent you from biking, walking, or using transit, check out the Disability Van Service. This is a fare-fee service, though advance reservations and medical authorization are required.
New Programs for Financial Hardship
Students who experience financial hardship now have two new programs to help them travel both near and far. Pell and Cal Grant recipients are eligible for Highway 17 vouchers and BCycle membership at no cost.
- One-way Highway 17 Express Vouchers: Eligible students may apply for two (2) one-way vouchers for the Highway 17 Express each quarter (fall, winter, and spring only) for free rides between Santa Cruz, Scotts Valley, and San Jose. Students must be current Pell or Cal Grant recipients, or request an accommodation from Slug Support.
- Free BCycle Memberships: Eligible students may apply for a fully subsidized annual BCycle membership (while supplies last). Students must be current Pell or Cal Grant recipients.
Parking
The campus has completed the transition to a virtual permitting system. Staff, faculty, and grad students may purchase or renew permits using the new system. Undergrad permits are sold out for the academic year. A limited number of Daily R permits are available each day on a first-come, first-served basis at ucsc.aimsparking.com . Eligible students may also apply for an appeal.
More Offering from TAPS
Along with our existing programs, TAPS is continuing to make improvements. In the coming weeks, 12 2010 model-year buses will begin arriving on campus to accelerate the retirement of the 1993 buses in the fleet. Additionally, thanks to a generous Carbon Fund grant, live bus tracking (the “dot on the map”) is coming soon. We are working on implementing the technology now and anticipate it will go live this academic year.
Want to get involved with TAPS? We’re currently recruiting for all positions on the Advisory Committee on Campus Transportation & Parking (ACCTP), including undergrad and grad representatives. Send an email to taps@ucsc.edu if you’re interested.
Additionally, students can also work for TAPS. Two UCSC students completed the student driver training program last summer and are joining our crew of transit drivers this fall. If you’re interested in training to become a bus driver, email taps@ucsc.edu to be notified if the position is posted again, or check Handshake for any of our other open student positions.
In November TAPS will host the first annual Town Hall via Zoom. Details are forthcoming via our website, social media, and newsletter.
If your group or organization wants more information on TAPS’ programs or would like us to give a brief presentation, send us a meeting request.
Sign up for our monthly newsletter, Slugs on the Move, and don’t miss any important TAPS announcements or updates.
Reach out to us via email at taps@ucsc.edu, follow us on Instagram and TikTok, and check out our YouTube Channel.
Happy traveling, Slugs!
Transportation & Parking Services
taps.ucsc.edu
The campus has completed the transition to a virtual permitting system. Staff, faculty, and grad students may purchase or renew permits using the new system. Undergrad permits are sold out for the academic year. A limited number of Daily R permits are available each day on a first-come, first-served basis at ucsc.aimsparking.com . Eligible students may also apply for an appeal.
More Offering from TAPS
Along with our existing programs, TAPS is continuing to make improvements. In the coming weeks, 12 2010 model-year buses will begin arriving on campus to accelerate the retirement of the 1993 buses in the fleet. Additionally, thanks to a generous Carbon Fund grant, live bus tracking (the “dot on the map”) is coming soon. We are working on implementing the technology now and anticipate it will go live this academic year.
Want to get involved with TAPS? We’re currently recruiting for all positions on the Advisory Committee on Campus Transportation & Parking (ACCTP), including undergrad and grad representatives. Send an email to taps@ucsc.edu if you’re interested.
Additionally, students can also work for TAPS. Two UCSC students completed the student driver training program last summer and are joining our crew of transit drivers this fall. If you’re interested in training to become a bus driver, email taps@ucsc.edu to be notified if the position is posted again, or check Handshake for any of our other open student positions.
In November TAPS will host the first annual Town Hall via Zoom. Details are forthcoming via our website, social media, and newsletter.
If your group or organization wants more information on TAPS’ programs or would like us to give a brief presentation, send us a meeting request.
Sign up for our monthly newsletter, Slugs on the Move, and don’t miss any important TAPS announcements or updates.
Reach out to us via email at taps@ucsc.edu, follow us on Instagram and TikTok, and check out our YouTube Channel.
Happy traveling, Slugs!
Transportation & Parking Services
taps.ucsc.edu
